A technical report published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 6 July 2026 finds that national Food Composition Databases (FCDBs) across 16 EU, EFTA, and IPA countries are of consistently high quality, with an average of 89% of nutrient values classified as high quality (A or B ratings). However, the report identifies significant gaps in food supplement data, inconsistent update frequencies, and challenges related to the growing reliance on branded food data, which can affect nutrient coverage and data stability.
The external scientific report, authored by researchers from EuroFIR AISBL, CAPNUTRA, and Premotec, evaluates the quality and representativeness of national FCDBs to support the development of an open-access EU FCDB. Using a modified INFOODS quality framework and a structured qualitative approach, the assessment covers database quality, individual nutrient value quality, and representativeness in relation to national consumption patterns, food supply, and data systems. Datasets were standardised according to EFSA requirements, including FoodEx2 coding and EuroFIR thesauri, and underwent extensive validation, harmonisation, and integration.
The report notes that improvements observed between phases largely reflect enhanced documentation, transparency, and interoperability rather than major changes in analytical accuracy. Representativeness is achieved through diverse national strategies, including linkage to dietary surveys, use of key food prioritisation approaches, integration of market and branded food data, and analytical sampling programmes. However, variability remains across countries in methodology, update frequency, and coverage of branded foods, fortified foods, and supplements.
Key limitations include fragmented food supplement data, inconsistent application of prioritisation methods, and resource constraints affecting analytical capacity and database updates. The increasing reliance on branded food data also presents challenges related to nutrient coverage and data stability. The report recommends improving food and nutrient coverage, strengthening harmonisation and documentation practices, enhancing analytical data generation, and increasing collaboration and transparency.
The findings have implications for multiple stakeholders. EU regulatory bodies, including EFSA and the European Commission, will benefit from a stronger evidence base for dietary exposure assessments and nutrition policy. National authorities in the 16 countries will need to address the identified gaps, particularly in supplement data and branded food coverage, potentially requiring additional resources. Food industry actors, especially manufacturers of branded and fortified foods, may face increased pressure to provide stable and comprehensive nutrient data. Consumers stand to gain from more accurate and representative food composition data, supporting informed dietary choices and public health initiatives. The report provides a framework to improve the quality and representativeness of FCDBs, supporting a harmonised and sustainable EU FCDB.